Pc Keith Sinclair with Irina Almeida in the Portuguese deli in Wrexham

As well as serving migrant communities, Pc Keith Sinclair, who speaks eight languages, will also liaise with travelling communities around the area.

North Wales Police say the officer's skills are proving an asset in helping to break down communication barriers.

There is no official figure for ethnic minority numbers in Wrexham but it is estimated to be more than 2,000.

Pc Sinclair has been appointed community beat manager for minority groups to improve representation of the evolving diversity of the town's population.

"As police we need to engage with all our communities especially those that may feel vulnerable and isolated within their new environments," said Inspector Chris Beasley from North Wales Police.

I hardly speak a word of English from dawn to dusk Pc Keith Sinclair

"Keith's skills have enabled us to improve our lines of communication and provide a more efficient and friendly service to a wider range of minority communities living in the area."

A fluent Welsh speaker, Pc Sinclair initially learnt French, German and Spanish at college before moving on to Portuguese and Polish. He can even converse in Slovenian if required.

He said he had decided to learn Portuguese and Polish in response to an increase in the number of people from both countries arriving in Wrexham.

"I noticed an increase in the number of Portuguese and Polish speakers in the area so started learning the language to enable in dealing with those sections of the community as many of them find it difficult to communicate in English," he said.

Community groups

"I have helped people to write letters to the authorities because many of them arrive without being able to speak and write in English."

"The fact that I can speak the language is now well known within these communities and I am often approached to give talks at schools and to community groups as well as offer assistance with a wide variety of issues."

Earlier this year, a report to Wrexham councillors revealed there could be up to 2,000 foreign workers there .

Many have come to work in Wrexham from countries including Portugal, Poland, India and the Philippines.

The authority said it was alerted to the high number of migrant workers in the town following the Caia Park race riots in June 2003.